Lexical Summary stereos: Firm, solid, steadfast, strong Original Word: στερεός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hard, strong, sure. From histemi; stiff, i.e. Solid, stable (literally or figuratively) -- stedfast, strong, sure. see GREEK histemi HELPS Word-studies 4731 stereós – (an adjective) properly, solid (firm); referring to what is immoveable (will not budge); stable (not changeable), standing fast without buckling or giving way (steadfast). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition hard, firm NASB Translation firm (2), solid (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4731: στερεόςστερεός, στερεά, στερεόν (Vanicek, p. 1131; Curtius, § 222), from Homer down, firm, solid, compact, hard, rigid: λίθος, Homer Odyssey 19, 494; strong, firm, immovable, θεμέλιος, 2 Timothy 2:19; τροφή, solid food, Hebrews 5:12, 14; στερεωτερα τροφή, Diodorus 2, 4; Epictetus diss. 2, 16, 39; tropically, in a bad sense, cruel, stiff, stubborn, hard; often so in Greek writings from Homer down: κραδιη στερεωτερη λιθοιο, Odyssey 23, 103; in a good sense, firm, steadfast: τῇ πίστει, as respects faith, firm of faith (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 6 a.), 1 Peter 5:9 (see στερεόω, at the end). Topical Lexicon Root ConceptThe adjective stereos paints a picture of that which is dense, well-compacted, and immovable. Its nuance ranges from literal “solid food” to metaphorical firmness of purpose or foundation. Each New Testament occurrence applies this idea to a different sphere—spiritual diet, personal faith, and the eternal stability of God’s redemptive plan—yet the underlying theme remains: what comes from God can be trusted as unmixed, weighty, and unshakable. Occurrences in the New Testament Hebrews twice employs stereos to contrast elementary instruction with advanced doctrine. Hebrews 5:12 laments believers who “need milk, not solid food,” while Hebrews 5:14 affirms, “solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil”. In 1 Peter 5:9 the word becomes a call to perseverance: “Resist him, standing firm in your faith…”. Finally, 2 Timothy 2:19 assures that “God’s firm foundation stands”, highlighting the irreversibility of divine election and ethical obligation (“must turn away from iniquity”). Old Testament Background Though stereos is Greek, its imagery echoes Hebrew Scripture. The LORD is repeatedly called “rock” (Psalm 18:2) whose “foundation of the earth” is set fast (Job 38:4). Isaiah foresees “a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” (Isaiah 28:16), language Paul and Peter later apply to Christ (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6). Thus, the New Testament use of stereos carries the weight of centuries of revelation portraying God and His truth as the only stable ground amid shifting sands. Christological Significance Hebrews 5 situates stereos within the priestly ministry of Jesus. Because His atonement is perfect and everlasting, He can offer believers the “solid food” of deeper instruction about His Melchizedekian priesthood (Hebrews 5:10–11). Maturity, therefore, is inseparable from Christ Himself; our grasp of His person and work determines whether we subsist on milk or feast on solid fare. Doctrinal Implications 1. Perseverance of the Saints: 2 Timothy 2:19 links the unshakable foundation of God’s choosing with the believer’s responsibility to depart from evil, uniting security and sanctification. Practical Applications for Ministry Teaching: Pastors are urged to move congregations beyond rudimentary truths. Systematic exposition of Scripture’s full counsel establishes saints on stereos footing, preparing them to refute error and endure trial. Counseling: When temptation or suffering strikes, believers are strengthened not by platitudes but by the dense nourishment of doctrinal reality—God’s sovereignty, Christ’s intercession, and the Spirit’s indwelling. Discipleship: Mentors should encourage spiritual habits (“constant use,” Hebrews 5:14) such as regular Scripture meditation, prayer, and service, which cultivate sensory discernment. Evangelism: The firmness of God’s foundation (2 Timothy 2:19) assures evangelists that success does not hinge on human persuasion alone. The Lord “knows those who are His,” guaranteeing a harvest. Historical Usage in the Early Church Patristic writers echoed the stereos motif. Irenaeus labeled Gnostic teachings “unstable,” contrasting them with the Church’s “firm and altogether harmonious faith.” Athanasius argued that the immovable Word of God preserved orthodoxy against Arianism. For them, stereos doctrine was not abstract philosophy but the bulwark safeguarding the flock. Exhortations for the Believer • Pursue maturity; refuse to remain an infant in understanding. Summary Stereos encapsulates the solidity of God, His truth, and the believer’s calling. Whether referring to advanced instruction, steadfast faith, or the unbreakable ground of election, the term drives home a single exhortation: build on what is solid, for only that will endure. Forms and Transliterations στερεα στερεά στερεὰ στερεάν στερεας στερεάς στερεᾶς στερεοι στερεοί στερεοὶ στερεος στερεός στερεὸς στερεωτέρων sterea stereà stereas stereâs stereoi stereoì stereos stereòsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Timothy 2:19 Adj-NMSGRK: ὁ μέντοι στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ NAS: Nevertheless, the firm foundation KJV: of God standeth sure, having this INT: Nevertheless [the] firm foundation of Hebrews 5:12 Adj-GFS Hebrews 5:14 Adj-NFS 1 Peter 5:9 Adj-NFP Strong's Greek 4731 |
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